Efforts continue to restore, revive Bolsa Chica reserve

A heron lifts off at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. The $4.2 million project received the go-ahead from Huntington Beach to use city water for an irrigation system. It is now awaiting approval from the Coastal Commission for the expansion. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Bird watching

Environmental enthusiasts and bird lovers soon will be able to view a rare sight – the least tern and the snowy plover nesting and raising their young.

The reserve is launching its first nest cam on Monday.

By visiting the Bolsa Chica Land Trust's website, bolsachicalandtrust.org, viewers can watch and listen to these birds that nest in areas of the reserve not accessible to pedestrians.

What lives in Bolsa Chica?

Here's a look at some of the animals, birds and reptiles you might see walking the trail at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve:

•Great blue heron

•Snowy egret

•Double-crested cormorant

•Red-tailed hawk

•Western fence lizard

•Cottontail rabbit

•Coyotes

•Beechey ground squirrel

•Great horned owl

•California gnatcatcher

HUNTINGTON BEACH – Environmentalists have been fighting for nearly four decades to protect the 1,300-acre slice of rare open space along Pacific Coast Highway known as the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

The effort to preserve and restore the reserve has been successful by some accounts, but large portions of the unique wildlife area have been lost to encroaching development over the years or significantly altered after being farmed or used to drill for oil.

Reviving Bolsa Chica is an ongoing process that will be taken up by future generations, says Kim Kolpin, executive director of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust.

"This is one of the last places in the state where we have this," Kolpin said, stretching her arm out toward the ecosystem of wetlands and uplands along Pacific Coast Highway. "You look out here and maybe don't see much, but you really have to stop and look."

On a typical afternoon visit to the reserve, it's not uncommon to spot snowy egrets standing amid the coastal sage looking for a meal or rabbits scampering across a carved-out trail that draws an estimated 30,000 visitors every year.

The trust is partnering with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to restore 118 acres of the lower mesa – open space that is made up of various plant species and provides homes for birds and other animals.

Kolpin estimates the project will take about 10 years to complete and cost about $4.2 million, which is expected to come from fundraising efforts, private donors and grants.

The plan includes ripping out non-native plant invaders, such as South African crystallized ice plant, and replacing them with native species. There are 20-40 native plants being used in the restoration process, Kolpin said.

The city of Huntington Beach recently gave the go-ahead to use city water for an irrigation system. The trust is awaiting California Coastal Commission approval of the project.

The reserve has been undergoing renovations for years.

The largest effort so far was a $151 million multi-agency project in 2006 that opened a tidal inlet that had been plugged up for more than a century. The project allowed seawater to flow into the wetlands so the area could return to a healthy ecosystem.

How did the non-native plants get here?

Throughout the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve are plants that have no business being there.

Take the plant pictured at right: the South African crystallized ice plant.

How did a plant from South Africa find its way to Bolsa Chica?

According to Kim Kolpin, from the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, it's not that difficult.

Related Links

A heron lifts off at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. The $4.2 million project received the go-ahead from Huntington Beach to use city water for an irrigation system. It is now awaiting approval from the Coastal Commission for the expansion. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. The $4.2 million project received the go-ahead from Huntington Beach to use city water for an irrigation system. It is now awaiting approval from the Coastal Commission for the expansion. The $4.2 million is expected to come from fundraising efforts, private donors and grants. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Wildlife at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Part of the already restored Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view of the already restored Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A White Pelican makes a water landing at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve which will likely expand with the Mesa restoration. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A wildlife photographers walks by new plantings at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve marked by red flags. The fence on the left divides the existing reserve from the Mesa area. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A White Pelican glides over the water at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A family of coots feed at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve which may soon see the restoration of the Mesa area. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A heron visits the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view from the top of the unrestored mesa area of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve at the edge of the Brightwater development. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve may expand with the Mesa restoration. The $4.2 million project received the go-ahead from Huntington Beach to use city water for an irrigation system. It is now awaiting approval from the Coastal Commission for the expansion. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A pedestrain trail between the fence mesa area on the left and the Brightwater development on the right offers a view of the unrestored mesa. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve may expand with the mesa restoration. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The New Zeland Crystallized Ice Plant is one of several non-native plant species that has infiltrated the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. A new plan to preserve and restore 118 acres of the Bolsa Chica Mesa includes pulling out non-native vegetation and replacing it with native plants. JAIMEE LYNN FLETCHER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A pergola at the Whitewater development frames a view of the undeveloped mesa area of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A pedestrian bridge at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offers access to the far side of the reserve away from PCH. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Pedestrians walk over a bridge at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.